Citizens must now...

VISA REGULATIONS FOR AMERICANS. U.S.

April 21, 1989

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA — VISA REGULATIONS FOR AMERICANS. U.S. citizens must now obtain visas before traveling to Panama because of an ''exaggerated influx'' of Americans in the last two years, Foreign Minister Jorge Ritter said in statements published Thursday. Ritter told La Estrella de Panama newspaper that the use of ''tourist cards'' by U.S. citizens was being suspended and they would have to get visas stamped in their passports, beginning today. Up to now Panama has allowed Americans to enter with the cards issued by the airlines to be filled out before the traveler leaves for Panama. The U.S. Embassy in Panama City declined to comment.